Need recommendation on N scale steam

[Anonymous]

Hey Guys,

I want to thank you for the past advice it has helped quite a bit! I do have one question that I asked in a different forum with no answer. Im about to add a steam loco to my layout. Is there any specific manufacturer I should be looking at, and staying away from? I usually use Kato for Deisel, but I dont think they make many steam. N Scale

Love to hear any suggestions!

Marc

PS: Thanks Jmbo

[Jacktal]

Kato has made a few N scale steamers in the past but mostly as a sub mostly for Con-Cor.I own a streamlined 4-6-4 Hudson (Con-Cor/Kato) that is a sweet runner.But I think you are right in saying that Kato doesn't make any steamers any more.

If I have to pick one steamer only...I'd go for the Model Power 2-8-2 Mikado which is a very nice runner.It's sister,the MP 4-6-2 Pacific is just as nice and I've been told that they are pretty easy to retrofit with DCC.If you would invest a little more,the Life-Like Heritage 2-8-8-2 Mallet is a real gem also.I own both the MP Mikado and the LL Mallet and love them.

You can also find the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 on the market right now but I've read quite a few complaints about this model.It seems to be plagued with inconsistent manufacturing quality,with some being real jewels while others are simply lousy and need a lot of work to run decently.

If you want to use the alternate market (Ebay,meets,etc),you may find very nice running Trix's,Rivarossi's and even MRC's steamers for reasonable prices.Don't expect easy DCC installations in these however,but they can be fun to operate on DC.

[orsonroy]

There are plenty of good N scale steamers on the market these days, by Bachmann (Spectrum), Life Like (Heritage), Kato, Roundhouse (Athearn), Con-Cor, Model Power and Atlas.

There are three basic things to look for when buying N scale steam: performance, pulling power, and overall looks. The ONLY N scale steamers than meet all three of these requirements are the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 and Con-Cor 2-10-2. Most of the other engines run well and look good, but won't pull anywhere near enough cars (15 cars max for an unmodified LL Heritage 2-8-4 or 2-8-8-2, for example. Kato's 2-8-2 will only pull EIGHT cars without the aftermarket driver set with traction tires. With tires, 30 cars). Roundhouse's engines aren't the best lookers in town, but they will pull respectably.

So which steamer you buy depends more on what you want to do with it. Do you want fine detailing, or lugging ability? Do you have lots of $$$ to spend? (Con-Cor's engines are pricey). No matter what you buy, however, I'd stay away from engines more than five years old.

[bikerraypa]

Talk to Big Dave's Trains on eBay. He rebuilds engines with 5-pole can motors and they run great. I saw him at a show, and bought an old Atlas/Rivarossi 2-8-2 that he had redone, and it is the best N scale engine I have, period.

http://stores.ebay.com/Big-Daves-Trains_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm


Ray out

[Anonymous]

I answered you on the other forum and told you about the Atlas Shay locomotives.

QUOTE: Originally posted by marcgabaldon

Hey Guys,

I want to thank you for the past advice it has helped quite a bit! I do have one question that I asked in a different forum with no answer. Im about to add a steam loco to my layout. Is there any specific manufacturer I should be looking at, and staying away from? I usually use Kato for Deisel, but I dont think they make many steam. N Scale

Love to hear any suggestions!

Marc

PS: Thanks Jmbo

[Anonymous]

I have about 20 N-Scale steam locos. Some are straight-from-the-box good runners, but most are massively modified with new motors and/or gears and/or extra power pickups, flywheels, etc. Since I assume you really don't want to get into that headache, here are my suggestions from personal experience.

The Con-Cor 4-6-4 Hudson, made from the last 1970s on, is almost always a very consistent and smooth runner. I have 3 of these from various vintages (none older than about 1985), and they all run fabulously right out of the box (these were made by Kato).

The Kato 2-8-2 Mikado. I had one from the first run, and I have one I bought last year. They both run superbly. Make sure to spend the extra $8 and get the replacement driver set with the traction tire on it. The engine will pull 20-25 cars with it, only about 8 without it. Looks and runs GRRRREAT.

Bachmann 2-8-0 Spectrum. Runs very nice. I haven't put many miles on the one I own yet, just ran it on my test bench, but it's a good runner... very smooth, good low-speed operation.

I haven't tried the Model Power all-metal steam locos that came out last year.
I've seen them at a few swap meets, and they look pretty good (detail-wise), but I have no idea how they run.

[Anonymous]

Sorry about that Gear..Your right !! Well, all I have CHosen to go with the ConCor 4-6-4
Hudson. I think it should be in today. Now I ma going to further my Steams. I appreciate this guys, Ill let you know how it turns out.